Global headquarters calls the Sunshine Coast home

ONE of the largest industrial lease transactions for 2017 has kept a Sunshine Coast food manufacturing operation in the region.

Country Chef Bakery was at risk of relocating to Brisbane due to its rapid expansion.

Ben Flower from Colliers International negotiated the lease deal in conjunction Mike Radmall from RCI Realty.

Situated in Forest Glen, the lease encompasses a net lettable area of 3731sq m comprising warehouse and loading area and a further 351sq m of office space.

The initial lease has been signed for a term of five years with options and is one of the Sunshine Coast's largest industrial lease deals in recent years.

The Country Chef Bakery Co is a rapidly expanding business whose products have been embraced by large corporations such as Woolworths, Coles, IGA Supermarkets and food service distributors such as 7-Eleven and Qantas.

From humble beginnings in Fortitude Valley in 1952, the company has evolved and continued to expand attributed to heavy demand, compelling the company to create a global headquarters on the Sunshine Coast, employing more than 100 people.

"These are the types of employment generating business we need to attract and keep on the Coast,'' Mr Flower said.

While also still operating from their Kunda Park premises, The Country Chef Bakery Co has invested considerably in a new fit-out at the premises and also in new production line equipment to facilitate the expansion and increase efficiency.

"The Sunshine Coast actually has a limited supply of larger industrial facilities with this property proving ideal for The Country Chef Bakery Co,'' Mr Flower said.

"This property is really unique, not only due to the size but also due to its location which provides easy vehicle access to the Bruce Highway and great exposure for tenants.''

In recent times Forest Glen has become a key industrial location for business wanting to service the Sunshine Coast.

Centrally located on the Sunshine Coast at close proximity to the Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway, makes Forest Glen an appealing location for businesses.

"Now that Kunda Park is at near capacity Forest Glen is now the new focus," Mr Radmall said.